Shakhtar GM claims Paulinho has signed Inter pre-contract

Brazil midfielder Paulinho has signed a pre-contract agreement with Inter Milan, according to the general manager of Shakhtar Donetsk.

The 24-year-old, who is currently part of the Seleção’s Confederations Cup squad, has been linked with a move away from Corinthians this summer with a number of European clubs reportedly interested in him.

Last week Paulinho admitted that his agent was in London, sparking reports he was close to agreeing a move to Tottenham Hotspur, however that now looks to not be the case.

Sergey Palkin, general manager of Shakhtar, has claimed Paulinho has already signed a pre-contract agreement with Inter, reports Gazzetta dello Sport

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "We are interested in Paulinho, but the player has signed a pre-contract with Inter."

Paulinho admitted earlier this month that a move to the San Siro appealed, telling Gazzetta: "I said and I repeat: I would go for sure to Inter.

"They are a club known all over the world.

"There played Ronaldo, Julio Cesar, Lucio, Maicon. Who would not want to wear that shirt? The fact that Inter would not participate in the next Champions League is not a problem, because they surely will want to take revenge.

"But if Inter want me they have to come forward with a right offer. I’m not a kid. I’m fine in Brazil, I play in a strong side like Corinthians and I’m one of the Selecao’s regular eleven. I must have the right motivations to leave all that."